Cathy's Art Diary

Beautiful exhibition at the Chelsea College of Art of work by members of the Society of Designer Craftsmen.   There was a wonderful variety of work including glass, jewellery, furniture, wood turning, textile art and ceramics. It was a well hung and arranged show giving each of the artists a defined space but also making the pieces work well together and setting up an interesting dialogue between different techniques.   I forgot to pick up the catalogue so I’m afraid I don’t now remember the names of the artists but I loved some swirling coloured glass and there was some beautiful smooth, tactile furniture. As ever the selection of jewellery was stunning.   Thanks as ever to Richard Shock with his lovely wood turning work for the private view ticket. I loved his new veneered pieces particularly this one placing a hexagon within a circle. Apologies to Richard that it’s taken me so long to get round to blogging this but watch out for him in October at the Han...

Eclectic exhibition at the Mall Galleries of new work by members of the Society of Designer Craftsmen. I think this year wood work came out of the show best. There was some amazing furniture including a desk by Stephen Hampson, angled shelves which appeared to be supported by books by Armando Magino and Kevin Stamper’s colourful pieces using inlay based on pixilated watercolours. There were also some nice smaller wood pieces including the wood turning of Richard Shock. The glass work was also a highlight with Charlotte Wilkinson’s bright, chunky pieces and Cathryn Shilling’s colourful work. Closed on 21 August 2016  

Lovely selling exhibition at the Mall Galleries of work from members of the Society of Designers Craftsmen. I always enjoy their exhibitions but it was nice that this time the crafts people were at their stalls so you got a chance to talk to them about their work. I had bought a vase by Kathryn Bonson at a show in 2014 so it was really nice to meet her. Other nice ceramics included Margaret Gardiner’s lovely blue glazed work. There was some notable wood work around. I confess to a bias as a friend Richard Shock was exhibiting for the first time there and his wood turning with inlay was catching people’s eyes as we stood and talked. I also liked Simon Jewell marquetry work on boxes. I look forward to the next show in August which I hope will go back to the traditional exhibition format which gives more space for looking at the work however it’s great to have both styles! Closed 20 December 2015.  

Tempting exhibition at the Mall Galleries of craft works by members of the Society of Designer Craftsmen. I remember this show and many of the people who exhibited from last year. My favourite was still Kathryn Bonson’s ceramics. I bought a vase by her last year. This year’s work was slightly more figurative as well as featuring amazing landscape effects. I also liked Margaret Gardiner’s lustre effect pots. There was a lot of amazing jewellery and I liked Fumi’s large flowers on a pearl necklace and Michele White’s rather art nouveaux organic work. I am not so convinced by the textile work. It is very intricate and beautiful but I’m not sure what you’d do with some of it. I would have liked to have seen more work in wood. There was some lovely furniture but compared to come of the other materials not enough.

Beautiful selling exhibition at the Mall Gallery for the Society of Designer Craftsmen. There were lots of beautifully made items but I think the furniture and jewellery stood out for me. However I also loved the glass items made by Sara Fell based in 20s dressing table sets and incorporating items of jewellery, the landscape broaches by Michele White and the patchwork and applique maps by Alicia Merrett. I did weaken and buy a vase by Kathryn Bonson which reflected the landscape around Bradford where she works which I know well. Some sides had a glaze giving the impression of hills and landscape while others   have a brick design. I can’t wait to pick it up in a couple of weeks’ time.